Fátima, Wisconsin?

This week we’re visiting family in the midwest. On today’s Feast of Our Lady of Fátima, we visited the church of Saint Vincent (now, apparently, part of Saint Jude the Apostle parish) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

It’s a beautiful 20th century church with a Romanesque flair.

Now, when I attended Mass there yesterday, not one person spoke to me. Today, I was there with Francine, and suddenly we had people welcoming us.

Apparently, I’m scary.

It was a lovely Mass – I’m always happy when the priest “says the black and does the red”.

In addition to a small statue of Our Lady of Fátima inside the church, there is also a life-sized one outside the church:

How cool is that?

And what’s the deal with Fátima, anyway?

Today in 1917, the Blessed Virgin began appearing to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal. She appeared on the thirteenth day of six consecutive months.

In another article, I’ve talked a little about the Miracle of the Sun. Regardless of miracles, Catholics are not obliged to believe these “private revelations”.

Indeed, the Church is very careful to investigate these sorts of claims with an eye toward debunking them, if possible.

Today, I will just make the same plea that the Blessed Virgin made: pray for the conversion of sinners.

Today, I ask especially that you pray for me.

O God, who chose the Mother of your Son
to be our Mother also,
grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer
for the salvation of the world,
we may further more effectively each day
the reign of Christ.

Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

(Collect prayer for the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima)